Labour MEPs tell Tsipras and Juncker: Agree deal or Greece will sink into the abyss

The leader of Labour’s MEPs today implored Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to put their egos aside and agree a deal by Sunday to prevent Greece sinking into the abyss.

“Mr President, prime minister, for the past five years the Greek people have suffered.

“They have been subject to austerity measures that have led to mass unemployment, with more than 50 per cent of young people out of work. Families have struggled to feed their children, and are unable to pay their rent.

“To think we are talking about a country which is proudly known as the cradle of democracy is unbelievable. Yet still it goes on.

“And is this predicament the fault of the Greek people? Of course it isn’t, but still they struggle. They have been asked to choose between a future of further suffering or a journey into the abyss.

“They look one way they see people who only care about austerity. They look the other way and see only those who preach irresponsibility.

“They have been failed by successive governments, including this one, and an EU too entrenched in the dogma of austerity.

“So what happens now? Please! Please! Put egos aside, and provide a solution by this Sunday, a solution that doesn’t let the Greek people down. No more brinkmanship, no more games. This is about the future of the Greek people.